Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The concept of Predestination places the initial work of salvation as a time when repentance is granted ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and several other passages); which is followed by sanctification. Some have said (in rather bad language form) that our "wanter" is changed.
The idea is that our desires IF saved become His desires; thus the struggle begins between the Spirit and the flesh.
Galatians 5:17-25
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
We also read in Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Again; I know this is a repeated theme on my part but we can't be grieving something we don't have; so that if there isn't a continuing process and desire to repent and change then sanctification is at question and we need to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5).
When by the grace of God came to finally in a little measure ( but enough) the Love of God towards me in Christ I bowed my knees confessed that it was I who was wrong ( my sin) and asked God to forgive me and change me according to His promise by asking Jesus into my heart .
I repented not only of what I had done but at some deep level repented of what I was . A sinner a hell deserving one at that .Worthy of death with no redeeming features.
I felt no exaltation ( some do) I just knew I had dome the right thing and beloved God would in consequence fulfill His promise . It was not till a couple of days later when I confessed that I had given my life to Christ and was now His or at the time confessed He was my saviour that I had the witness of the Spirit of truth with my spirit that I was now a child of God .
I think I understand what you mean by sanctification but I'd like to point out that being BORN again is it not getting out of Egypt ? And from the dominion of Pharoah? By the blood of the Lamb the Word of God and the Power of God? Is not passing through the wilderness but boot camp as it were ? Where we learn to walk by faith and not by sight or " live not by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God"?
It did not take them 40 years to reach the promised land but a little over two years . But the church has made the wandering in the desert for 40 years always proving God as the Christian norm .
The ten spies ( the majority) had forgotten what God had done not so long ago after 400 years of cruel bondage in one day . Who it was who was with them and what He had promised for the future .
" Go in and posses the land fir I have given it to you ".
God is not democratic .
Paul warns the church not to be like them who entered not in because of unbelief . Unbelief is not just not believing zGod it is also believing the wrong message .
What does it say of the bride? She will come out of the wilderness terrible as an army with banners"
I like your prophetic insight from Song of Solomon; not too many people look there.
It seems we are pretty much in agreement; but you realize that there are people at varying levels here of understanding; although I have to say lately that people here seem much more rounded than elsewhere on the internet and there is good prayer request and response; and other discussions without too many difficult people of late.
It seems perhaps some of my issues aren't a problem here which is good perhaps I need maturing more than anything else.
Hopefully people will be encouraged to attempt to find a good Bible believing church and challenge things if people are stale yet still respect the God given authority with Pastors; Deacons and elders.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The concept of Predestination places the initial work of salvation as a time when repentance is granted ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and several other passages); which is followed by sanctification. Some have said (in rather bad language form) that our "wanter" is changed.
The idea is that our desires IF saved become His desires; thus the struggle begins between the Spirit and the flesh.
Galatians 5:17-25
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
We also read in Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Again; I know this is a repeated theme on my part but we can't be grieving something we don't have; so that if there isn't a continuing process and desire to repent and change then sanctification is at question and we need to test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5).
It's off to work I go.
Agape; RIch p
I repented not only of what I had done but at some deep level repented of what I was . A sinner a hell deserving one at that .Worthy of death with no redeeming features.
I felt no exaltation ( some do) I just knew I had dome the right thing and beloved God would in consequence fulfill His promise . It was not till a couple of days later when I confessed that I had given my life to Christ and was now His or at the time confessed He was my saviour that I had the witness of the Spirit of truth with my spirit that I was now a child of God .
I think I understand what you mean by sanctification but I'd like to point out that being BORN again is it not getting out of Egypt ? And from the dominion of Pharoah? By the blood of the Lamb the Word of God and the Power of God? Is not passing through the wilderness but boot camp as it were ? Where we learn to walk by faith and not by sight or " live not by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God"?
It did not take them 40 years to reach the promised land but a little over two years . But the church has made the wandering in the desert for 40 years always proving God as the Christian norm .
The ten spies ( the majority) had forgotten what God had done not so long ago after 400 years of cruel bondage in one day . Who it was who was with them and what He had promised for the future .
" Go in and posses the land fir I have given it to you ".
God is not democratic .
Paul warns the church not to be like them who entered not in because of unbelief . Unbelief is not just not believing zGod it is also believing the wrong message .
What does it say of the bride? She will come out of the wilderness terrible as an army with banners"
It seems we are pretty much in agreement; but you realize that there are people at varying levels here of understanding; although I have to say lately that people here seem much more rounded than elsewhere on the internet and there is good prayer request and response; and other discussions without too many difficult people of late.
It seems perhaps some of my issues aren't a problem here which is good perhaps I need maturing more than anything else.
Hopefully people will be encouraged to attempt to find a good Bible believing church and challenge things if people are stale yet still respect the God given authority with Pastors; Deacons and elders.
Anyway; 'nuff said on this point.
Keep the faith or; should I say may He keep you.
Later.
Rich P
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